Upgrades at FS hotels quite often tend to be to a CL room (i.e. not a suite.) Overall, I don't normally get much more than that CL upgrade for most of my "business" stays and that is fine. I've had much more luck getting nice upgrades for my vacation stays. If I'm staying at a beach Marriott, I'm quite often upgraded to a beach view/front room (though I often have to ask for it).

About the only consistent "suite" upgrades I get are at CYs and those I almost always have to ask for when I check in. So I wouldn't think the on-line check-in would change that.

So for my "business" stays, I could see myself using the on-line check-in as I don't usually need much, if any, upgrades. But for my leisure stays where upgrades can really enhance the stay, I wouldn't use it.

Also note, I've been a Hilton Diamond the last few years and I tend to see the same with their on-line check-in. If I want an upgrade, I won't pre-select my room. If don't care, I will pre-select it.

I use the app to check in and most of the time i can see my room has been upgraded. The good thing about using the app is that you can let them know ahead of time what time you are planning on arriving. If i dont see an upgrade when when im about to check in, i do ask nicely if there's any available. There may be a better room but may require you to wait a bit longer till its ready. Sometimes there just isnt one available (for golds). So the app should not affect the chances of getting upgraded if you still ask at the desk.

Ended up with a crappy room
 

Didn't use online check-in so we ended up with a tiny room on the 3rd floor (out of 40) on the noisy street with a view of the hotel flags (which also clink in the wind). I find it really hard to believe there wasn't an upgrade higher up (I could have booked nice rooms using the app). I used 90k points for this 2 night stay which is upsetting enough but I would be absolutely livid if I had to pay the $524/night online rate for this room. I will never stay at this hotel again.

Please name the hotel.

JW Marriott Essex in New York.

Staying at JW Marriott Essex house and a had ...... room on points and even PAID 200 for the upgrade. View of Nothing (I am Platinum). Overall very disappointed in the hotel. Will post a detailed trip report when I get back.

I consistently avoid using OLCI, even though it is faster and much more convenient, because I do feel like it results in a worse room, not just a lack of an upgrade. I, too, notice a lack of attention to preferences like high floor, away from the elevators, etc.

As someone mentioned, it definitely feels like first cleaned room is assigned. All too often I'll do the OLCI 6+ hours in advance and get the notification "your keys are ready" within 5 minutes, which has invariably meant I end up with a very average room. Not something I usually want to fight over as it is always the room category I have booked, but it is just a very average room on a low floor with a view of the parking lot/HVAC units with two beds (vs. the king I always get with the front desk check in). The front desk humans usually look at the person who stays 100+ nights per year and does a little better, and I appreciate that. I don't think they owe me that, but I appreciate it.

Same, I switched over from Hilton last year and the lasck of upgrades has been an annoying difference. And I very much dislike having to ask at check in. If you have an upgrade available that I'm eligible for, just give it to me, don't make me beg for it.

If you do so, please post in the property thread. Most won't look for reviews in the OLCI thread.

Cheers.

I normally shoot an email off to the GM if I'm staying at a full service hotel and request an upgrade that way. For Fairfield and Springhills they are, for the most part, similar rooms. I'll only use online check in if I'm arriving very early, or if I've secured an upgrade in advance) through email) which I see has been updated in my reservation, otherwise it doesn't seem to pan out for me.

While staying at the essex house on points (5 nights) the GM did offer to upgrade me to a JW terrace suite for $200 a night due to "extra staffing costs" required by the room type.

Also offered free upgrades to other rooms, but we required a room with 2 beds for our trip.

Just to close the loop on this...after I expressed my displeasure we were moved to a better room for the second night and the VIP relations manager sent up a bottle of wine and some fruit which was a nice gesture. I guess the moral of the story is if you want an upgrade you need to ask for it and check-in early enough so that there will be some desirable rooms available.

It's crazy to claim that extra staffing costs $200 per day in a suite versus a regular room unless the suite comes with a very well qualified butler or personal assistant just for the suite.

Even if housekeepers are getting significantly more than minimum wage, $20 per hour including benefits is probably a generous estimate, so $200 would mean ten extra hours of a housekeeper to clean the suite every day. I hope you plan to never be in the suite so that the housekeeper can spend so much time there.

Upgrades are based on availability. The best check in day is 'Friday' when most business folks leave. And best check in time is about 2-4 pm for an upgrade from the front desk.
And is does matter if you have stayed at the hotel before, the FDC's are in the know with computer screens.
Based on 10 years as a plat & over 1100 stay nights.

Checked in online yesterday for Munich Courtyard East as we were arriving at 10 am and really wanted a room. Had not been upgraded onlune. Arrived and were given a suite.

As mentioned above, business hotel, one night weekend stay, is likely the reason.

Same last weekend at Budapest Courtyard. I had an early arrival and greatly preferred to have my room ready at 11AM versus worrying about an upgrade. Checked in the day before with the app.

Scored with 11AM check with an upgrade to Suite.

I have had great success with using on-line check-in for stays at which I want to access the room early. If I tell them via the app check-in the day before my arrival that I will be there at 11AM, I have always had a room ready for me.